Welcome to Mumsnet's holiday forum. Discuss all international travel here, including both shorthaul and longhaul trips. Related topics: UK holidays & day trips, skiing, camping & campervans.
Welcome to Mumsnet's holiday forum. Discuss all international travel here, including both shorthaul and longhaul trips. Related topics: UK holidays & day trips, skiing, camping & campervans.
Holidays
Chernobyl
IAmJackieWeaver · 25/02/2021 20:00
Has anyone done a trip to Chernobyl?
If so, which is the best way to do it, and which are good companies to use?
Any hints and tips?
It's on my bucket list, and the upcoming programme with Ben Fogle has reminded me I want to go!!
HelplessProcrastinator · 26/02/2021 10:34
My DH went and absolutely loved it. He’s a 20th century concrete nerd and loves urban exploration. He went with a friend who is very well traveled and had been before. They flew budget airline into Kiev and arranged the tour from there. Sorry I don’t have the specific details. He enjoyed the couple of nights in Kiev as well. Cheap vodka!
XDownwiththissortofthingX · 26/02/2021 10:37
Don't roll in the grass near the cooling towers 
IAmJackieWeaver · 26/02/2021 14:13
I really want to go!! Problem is no one wants to go with me
TheVanguardSix · 26/02/2021 14:22
Problem is no one wants to go with me
I'd go! I would love to! If you're TTC or have small children at home when you return, I wouldn't go, just to be on the safe side.
Did you ever watch Bionerd's videos on YT? Go to YT and check out Bionerd23. She's done loads of videos on Pripyat/Chernobyl.
And this is a bit of info on what happened to her since she no longer posts videos. www.reddit.com/r/chernobyl/comments/faiat6/bionerd_23_what_happened_to_her_was_she_barred/
nitsandwormsdodger · 26/02/2021 14:28
It could kill you
Can you harm others on your return?
FAQs · 26/02/2021 14:37
My cousin went and found it fascinating, I’ve read the book the TV series was based on, I’d go!
BasiliskStare · 26/02/2021 14:55
Hi @IAmJackieWeaver - a very great of mine went there - if you want me to - PM me and and I can give you the company she went with - or indeed put it on here - let me know
Basilisk
IAmJackieWeaver · 26/02/2021 15:12
@nitsandwormsdodger
Can you harm others on your return?
You get given hazmat to wear whilst you're there I believe? The risk will never be obliterated 100% but it's mitigated.
IAmJackieWeaver · 26/02/2021 15:15
@BasiliskStare
Basilisk
Could you pop the company name on here?
HelplessProcrastinator · 26/02/2021 15:19
You have to go with a tour operator who ensures your safety. Radiation exposure is equivalent to a long haul flight. It’s not going to kill you.
DoubleHelix79 · 26/02/2021 15:21
@nitsandwormsdodger
Can you harm others on your return?
If you were exposed to a radiation dose high enough to become radioactive yourself then catching a flight home would be the very least of your worries.
BasiliskStare · 26/02/2021 15:47
@IAmJackieWeaver - have asked friend - she is a good friend so once she tells me ( which she will ) I will tell you 
- so when they went round the one ( Chernobyl ) thing - which may not affect you - you were not allowed to have a cigarette . She went round Chernobyl and the town which was close I think Priripyat ? Well when I get an answer I shall tell you
Basislisk
BasiliskStare · 26/02/2021 15:51
Just to say - radiation is very small nowadays & so friend said not really dangerous as long as you keep to the tourist guidelines ,
BasiliskStare · 26/02/2021 17:42
@IAmJackieWeaver My friend went with a company called Explore
She had two options - ( obviously all including Chernorbyl _ 1) 4 days ) could go to Kiev in addition 2) 10days Ukraine and Moldovia - both included the town nearby ( Pripyat )
Hope that helps @IAmJackieWeaver
Basilisk x
User5768 · 26/02/2021 17:45
I’d go too! We went on a tour of a nuclear power in the U.K. a while ago and it was fascinating see the reactor.
IAmJackieWeaver · 26/02/2021 18:34
Thank you everyone especially @BasiliskStare
tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 26/02/2021 19:51
User that sounds interesting ... where was it?
User5768 · 27/02/2021 17:30
@tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz
@tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz
If you google EDF visitor centres, they have tours at most of their nuclear power stations. Obviously on hold atm though
cocoshnitzel · 27/02/2021 17:35
I went a couple of years ago with this company- https://chernobyl-tour.com/english/?actionskinnchange=yes&skinname=eng and it was fascinating, highly recommend. We flew into Kiev and also visited Lviv whilst in Ukraine which was also worth a visit!
TinySongstress · 27/02/2021 18:19
It really won't kill you. 
There's a documentary on Amazon called Chernobyl Cafe which explores the lives of the people who have returned to live and work in Chernobyl.
Funf · 05/03/2021 10:04
This website has loads of info from people who have been and enjoyed it
www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/chernobyl-may-2019.121857/
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